Molecular mapping of seed aliphatic glucosinolates in Brassica juncea

An RFLP genomic map with 316 loci was used to study the inheritance of aliphatic glucosinolates in Brassica juncea using doubled-haploid (DH) populations developed from a cross between RLM-514, an agronomically superior non-canola quality B. juncea (high erucic acid and high glucosinolates), and an agronomically poor canola quality B. juncea breeding line. Two QTLs (GSL-A2a and GSL-A2b) associated with 3-butenyl were consistent across years and locations, and explained 75% of the phenotypic variance in the population. Three QTLs (GSL-A2a, GSL-F, GSL-B3) affected 2-propenyl and explained 78% of the phenotypic variance in the population. For total aliphatic glucosinolates, five QTLs explained 30% to 45% of the total phenotypic variance in the population in different environments. Several QTLs (GSL-A7 and GSL-A3) were highly inconsistent in different environments. Major QTLs (GSL-A2a and GSL-A2b) associated with individual glucosinolates were non-significant for total aliphatic glucosinolates. A marker-assisted selection strategy based on QTLs associated with individual glucosinolates rather than total aliphatic glucosinolates is proposed for B. juncea.